Protective coatings for conversion material cathodes

ABSTRACT

Battery systems using coated conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Protective coatings may be an oxide, phosphate, or fluoride, and may be lithiated. The coating may selectively isolate the conversion material from the electrolyte. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with coated conversion material are also provided herein.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/922,214, filed on Jun. 19, 2013, and titled “NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION REACTIONS,” which claims benefit of the following U.S. Provisional patent applications under 35 U.S.C. §119(e): U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/674,961, filed Jul. 24, 2012, and titled “NANOSCALE LITHIUM COMPOUND AND METAL ELECTRODES,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/814,821, filed Apr. 23, 2013, and titled “NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION REACTIONS.” Each of the prior applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many battery types have been developed and used, with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Due to its high charge density, lithium has been used in various battery types. In a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge. Unfortunately, conventional battery systems and their manufacturing and processes result in relatively high-cost, low-energy-density batteries that do not meet market demands for many applications.

Another type of battery employs a conversion material, which undergoes a conversion reaction with lithium or another transport ion. Conversion materials may have lower cost and higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries but some aspects of their performance require improvement.

SUMMARY

One aspect is an energy storage device including an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode, which includes a plurality of coated electrochemically active material particles. Each particle has a core which includes conversion material and the coating. In many embodiments, the coating selectively isolates the conversion material from the electrolyte and the capacity of the active material is greater than about 300 mAh/g. In some embodiments, the cathode further includes an ion conductor and/or an electron conductor. In some embodiments, the cathode further includes a current collector. In some embodiments, the particles have a median diameter of between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm. In certain embodiments, the particles have a median diameter of between about 200 nm and about 300 nm.

In many embodiments, the conversion material includes a sulfide, oxide, halide, phosphide, nitride, chalcogenide, oxysulfide, oxyfluoride, sulfur-fluoride, or sulfur-oxyfluoride. The conversion material may include a lithium compound of these anions (particularly in the discharged state) and/or a metal compound of these anions (particularly in the charged state). Examples of suitable metals include iron, manganese, copper, and cobalt. In some embodiments, the conversion material contains a fluoride such as ferric fluoride, or ferrous fluoride, or LiFeF₃, or Li₃FeF₆, in a charged state.

In various embodiments, the conversion material may be characterized as a metal component and a lithium compound component intermixed with the metal component. In some embodiments, the metal component is iron, nickel or copper. In some embodiments, the lithium compound component is a lithium halide, lithium sulfide, lithium sulfur-halide, lithium oxide, lithium nitride, lithium phosphide, or lithium selenide.

In various embodiments, the median thickness of the coating is between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm, across all the particles. In some embodiments, the coating may include two or more layers, each layer having a median thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm. As examples, the coating may include an oxide, a phosphate, or a fluoride. In some embodiments, the coating as formed is partially lithiated. In some embodiments, the coating as fabricated is no more than 50% lithiated. In some embodiments, the coating is lithiated by intercalation, alloy incorporation, ionic bond formation, or mixture formation. In some embodiments, the coating includes aluminum oxide (Al_(x)O_(y)) or aluminum phosphate (Al_(x)(PO₄)_(y)) and/or aluminum fluoride (AlF_(x)), which may or may not be lithiated. For example, the coating may include Al₂O₃, AlPO₄, AlF₃ and/or stoichiometric variants of any of these. In many embodiments, the coating is deposited using bath coating, spray coating, or atomic layer deposition at a temperature less than about 300° C. In some embodiments, the coating is deposited using spray coating or precipitation. It should be understood that the coating materials disclosed herein may vary slightly from the recited stoichiometries.

The coating may have an electronic conductivity of at least about 10⁻⁸ S/cm. In some embodiments, the coating has an ionic conductivity of iron(II) ions of no greater than about 10⁻⁸ S/cm. In some embodiments, the coating has an ionic conductivity of lithium ions of at least about 10⁻⁸ S/cm.

The coating may have a diffusion coefficient for lithium ions between about 10⁻¹⁰ and about 10⁻⁵ cm²/s. In some embodiments, the coating has a diffusion coefficient for iron(II) ions between about 10⁻¹⁴ and about 10⁻⁹ cm²/s. In many embodiments, the median coating coverage is at least about 90% of the surface area of the particles.

Another aspect of this disclosure is an energy storage device including an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode, which includes an ion conductor, a current collector, electrochemically active conversion material, and a coating. In many embodiments, the coating selectively isolates the electrochemically active material from the electrolyte, and the capacity of the active conversion material is greater than about 300 mAh/g. In some embodiments, the cathode forms a substantially continuous sheet, substantially coextensive with and overlapping the electrolyte.

In many embodiments of this aspect, the conversion material includes a sulfide, oxide, halide, phosphide, nitride, chalcogenide, oxysulfide, oxyfluoride, sulfur-fluoride, or sulfur-oxyfluoride. The conversion material may include a lithium compound of these anions (particularly in the discharged state) and/or a metal compound of these anions (particularly in the charged state). Examples of suitable metals include iron, nickel, manganese, copper, and cobalt. In some embodiments, the conversion material contains a fluoride such as nickel fluoride, copper fluoride, ferric fluoride or ferrous fluoride.

In various embodiments of this aspect, the conversion material may be characterized as a metal component and a lithium compound component intermixed with the metal component. In many embodiments, the metal component is iron, nickel, copper, or an alloy of one of those metals. In various embodiments, the lithium compound component is a lithium halide, lithium sulfide, lithium sulfur-halide, lithium oxide, lithium nitride, lithium phosphide, or lithium selenide.

The coating may include an oxide, a phosphate, or a fluoride. In some embodiments, the coating is lithiated. In some embodiments, the coating is partially lithiated. In some embodiments, the coating is at least about 50% lithiated. In various embodiments, the coating includes aluminum oxide (Al_(x)O_(y)), or aluminum phosphate (Al_(x)(PO₄)_(y)), and/or aluminum fluoride (AlF_(x)), which may or may not be lithiated. For example, the coating may include Al₂O₃, AlPO₄, and/or AlF₃. In many embodiments, the coating is deposited using bath coating, spray coating, or atomic layer deposition at a temperature less than about 300° C. In some embodiments, the coating is deposited using spray coating or precipitation.

The coating in this aspect may have an electronic conductivity of at least about 10⁻⁸ S/cm. In some embodiments, the coating has an ionic conductivity of iron(II) ions of no greater than about 10⁻⁸ S/cm. In some embodiments, the coating has an ionic conductivity of lithium ions of at least about 10⁻⁸ S/cm. The coating may have a diffusion coefficient for lithium ions between about 10⁻¹⁰ and about 10⁻⁵ cm²/s. In some embodiments, the coating has a diffusion coefficient for iron(II) ions between about 10⁻¹⁴ and about 10⁻⁹ cm²/s. In some embodiments, the thickness of the coating is between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm. In some embodiments, the coating includes two or more layers, each layer having a thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm.

Another aspect of this disclosure is a method of preparing an electrochemically active material component of a cathode in an energy storage device by providing electrochemically active material particles, each particle including a core which includes conversion material; and depositing a coating on each particle, such that the coating includes one of Al_(x)O_(y), AlF_(x), or Al_(x)(PO₄)_(y). For example, the coating may include Al₂O₃, AlPO₄, and/or AlF₃. In some embodiments, the coating is deposited by spray coating, or bath coating, or ALD. In many embodiments, the coating is deposited to a thickness of between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm. In some embodiments, the coating includes two or more layers, each layer having a thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm.

Another aspect is a method of preparing an electrochemically active material component of a cathode in an energy storage device by providing electrochemically active material particles, each particle including a core including conversion material; and depositing a coating on each particle, such that the coating is partially lithiated. In many embodiments, the coating is deposited to a thickness of between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm. In some embodiments, the coating includes two or more layers, each layer having a thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm. In some embodiments, the coating is deposited using spray coating, bath coating, or ALD. In some embodiments, the coating includes one of Al_(x)O_(y), AlF_(x), or Al_(x)(PO₄)_(y). For example, the coating may include Al₂O₃, AlPO₄, and/or AlF₃. In some embodiments, the coating is deposited at a temperature less than about 300° C.

Another aspect is a method of fabricating a cathode of an energy storage device, by providing an electrochemically active material layer including conversion material on a substrate, and depositing a coating on the substrate by physical vapor deposition (PVD), where the coating includes one of Al_(x)O_(y), AlF_(x), or Al_(x)(PO₄)_(y). For example, the coating may include Al₂O₃, AlPO₄, and/or AlF₃. In many embodiments, the coating is deposited to a thickness of between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm. In some embodiments, the coating includes two or more layers, each layer having a thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm. In some embodiments, the coating is deposited using spray coating, bath coating, or ALD. In some embodiments, the coating is deposited at a temperature less than about 300° C.

These and other aspects are described further below with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic illustrations of electrochemical cells.

FIG. 2A depicts four examples of conversion materials having various nanodomain and particle formats.

FIG. 2B depicts additional examples of particle and nanodomain structures that may be employed in ferric fluoride and related conversion materials.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of a metal migration phenomenon.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic illustrations of cathodes in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic illustrations of an electrolyte reaction phenomenon.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic illustrations of cathodes in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are plots of energy density and energy retention for experimental results in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction

The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the disclosed embodiments and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the disclosed embodiments.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112(f). In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f).

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

Batteries and their electrodes undergo electrochemical transitions during discharge and, in the case of secondary or rechargeable batteries, charge. Due to its high charge density, lithium has been used in various battery types. A lithium-ion battery may include a cathode of insertion material or intercalation material. Insertion or intercalation material may be molecules which may be included between other molecules. In a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, lithium ions move from the anode (or negative electrode) to the cathode (or positive electrode) during discharge. Unfortunately, conventional lithium-ion batteries typically have a relatively high cost and low energy density, and therefore may not meet demands for many applications. The present disclosure concerns cathodes having coatings, which may outperform not only intercalation materials but also uncoated conversion materials. In some cases, the coating prevents a metal material from leaving cathode particles and/or prevents electrolyte from detrimentally reacting with components in the cathode particles. As a consequence, the material exhibits increased capacity and increased ion conductivity. In one example, the conversion material is ferric fluoride in a lithium-FeF₃ cell and the coating is a thin material such as aluminum oxide or lithium oxide.

Cathodes contain materials that participate in reactions that facilitate charge and discharge to produce electrical energy, and such materials may be broadly termed “active materials” or “electrochemically active materials.” In various embodiments, about 90% of a cathode may include active material. Cathodes may contain high capacity active material that reversibly undergoes a redox reaction at a high rate over many cycles of charge and discharge. Such materials are sometimes referred to herein as “conversion” materials. They generally have lower cost and higher energy density than cathode materials in conventional lithium-ion batteries. Another example of an active material is an intercalation material. As used herein, a “conversion” material is one that, in an electrochemical reaction with lithium, may undergo a phase change and at least a portion of the metal component undergoes a change of oxidation state. A conversion reaction may be represented as Li+AB

LiA+B. A conversion material as used herein is distinguished from a formation material (Li+A

LiA) or an intercalation material (Li+AB

LiAB).

In general, intercalation and/or conversion materials may be used in battery systems. For example, a cathode material may be used for intercalation or conversion with lithium. Intercalation materials, which can be prepared at a macro scale or at a nano scale, typically have relatively low energy density (e.g., less than about 800 Wh/kg of active material).

Conversion materials, in contrast, can provide much higher energy density (e.g., about 1000 Wh/kg to 2500 Wh/kg of active material). Battery systems and structures utilizing conversion material are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/207,493, filed on Mar. 12, 2014, titled “IRON, FLUORINE, SULFUR COMPOUNDS FOR BATTERY CELL CATHODES”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/674,961, filed on Jul. 24, 2012, and titled “NANOSCALE LITHIUM COMPOUND AND METAL ELECTRODES”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/922,214, filed on Jun. 19, 2013, and titled “NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION REACTIONS,” all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Cell Structure Types

In various embodiments, the cathode includes particles of electrochemically active material. FIG. 1A shows an example of a cell format, which includes negative current collector 100, electrolyte 102, cathode 104 a including particles, and positive current collector 106. The negative current collector 100 contacts the electrolyte 102, which in turn contacts the cathode layer including its constituent particles 104 a. The cathode layer of particles 104 a also contacts the positive current collector 106. The cathode may include an additive to improve electronic conductivity between the active cathode particles and the positive current collector. Such an additive may be a carbon particle or a mixed electron-ion conductor (MEIC).

An electrolyte separates the anode from the cathode, is ionically conductive, and is electronically resistive. It allows transport of ions that participate in electrochemical reactions at the anode and cathode during charge and discharge. Some batteries contain a single electrolyte, which contacts the anode and the cathode. Other batteries contain two or more physically separate electrolytes having different compositions. For example, a battery may have an anolyte contacting the anode and a catholyte contacting the cathode, where the anolyte and catholyte are separated by in ionically conductive barrier that prevents mixing. Electrolytes typically exist in a liquid, solid, or gel state. Batteries containing two different electrolytes may employ different phases. For example, a catholyte may be solid while the remainder of the electrolyte (which may be an anolyte) may be a liquid. As used herein, the term ‘electrolyte’ includes anolyte, catholyte, separator electrolyte, and any other material having the above characteristics in a battery.

In some embodiments, the cell includes a single liquid phase electrolyte, often in conjunction with an intercalation type anode. In such embodiments, a porous separator may be used to prevent contact between the anode and cathode.

In some embodiments, a two-phase electrolyte may be used. In one example, the cathode includes a liquid catholyte surrounding the particles of active cathode material, and the catholyte may be separated from the anode by a layer of solid state electrolyte. The catholyte and cathode particles together form a cathode layer as depicted in layer 104 a and the electrolyte layer may correspond to layer 102 as shown in FIG. 1A. The liquid phase catholyte material is conductive to ions but may be insufficiently conductive to electrons, in which case an additive, such as carbon or another electronically conductive material, may be added to the cathode. In embodiments employing lithium or another metal anode, the solid state portion of the separator or electrolyte may help prevent metal dendrites from forming.

Catholyte compositions may include carbonate electrolytes (e.g., EC (ethylene carbonate), DEC (diethyl carbonate), DMC (dimethyl carbonate), EMC (ethyl methyl carbonate), VC (vinylene carbonate), FEC (fluoroethylene carbonate), PC (propylene carbonate) with salts such as LiTFSI (lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide), LiPF6 (lithium hexafluorophosphate), LiBOB (lithium bis(oxalato)borate), LiODFB (lithium oxalyldifluoroborate), LiFAP (lithium fluoroalkylphosphate), LiFSI (lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide), etc.) or non-carbonate electrolytes (e.g., ionic liquids, siloxanes, ethers, nitriles, glymes, etc.). Catholytes may have high voltage and low voltage stability (down to about 1V since the cathode may operate down to a low voltage limit, and up to about 4.5V or greater). Some species for catholyte compositions have high temperature stability, such as siloxanes and other organosilicons.

As mentioned, a solid phase electrolyte may be used. Various solid phase electrolytes are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/778,455, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/207,493, filed on Mar. 12, 2014, titled “IRON, FLUORINE, SULFUR COMPOUNDS FOR BATTERY CELL CATHODES” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Examples of solid phase electrolytes that conduct Li⁺ include Li₁₀XP₂S₁₂ (LXPS, X=Si, Ge, Sn, and combinations thereof), Li₁₀SiP₂S₁₂ (LSPS), and LiPON (lithium phosphorus oxynitride). Carbon or carbon materials may be added to improve the electronic conductivity.

FIG. 1B schematically depicts a thin-film cell format. In various embodiments, a thin-film of electrochemically active cathode material 104 b is provided between a positive current collector 106 and a thin protective layer (not shown but described in more detail below). The cathode thin film may be a continuous and non-particulate layer. The protective layer may contact an electrolyte 102, which may be in solid phase or liquid phase. The electrolyte 102, in turn, contacts an anode or negative current collector 100. If the electrolyte 102 contacts the negative current collector 100, it may do so only in the discharged state. In a charged state, a metallic anode (not shown) may be deposited in between the electrolyte 102 and the negative current collector 100. Lithium is one example of such a metallic anode material. In various embodiments, the cathode layer may have a thickness of about 1 micrometer or less, or about 500 nanometers or less, or about 200 nanometers or less.

Conversion Materials

When considered across a range of states of charge, the conversion material may be viewed as including an oxidizing species, a reducing cation species, and a metal species. These species are sometimes referred to herein as constituents or components. As disclosed herein, such materials also include a protective coating layer on the surface of the cathode that partially isolates or protects the conversion material from the electrolyte and thereby improves conductivity. This section describes conversion materials in general terms usually without reference to coatings, which are described in a later section.

The oxidizing species is typically a strongly electronegative element, compound, or anion. Examples of oxidizing species anions include halide ions (fluorides, chlorides, bromides, and iodides), oxide ions, sulfide ions, and the like. The reducing cation species is typically an electropositive element or cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium, or magnesium, and ions thereof. The metal species is typically less electropositive than the reducing cation species. Transition metals are sometimes used as the metal species. Examples include cobalt, copper, nickel, manganese, and iron.

The conversion material may contain two or more oxidizing species, two or more reducing cation species, and/or two or more metal species. In some embodiments, the discharged conversion material includes a metal component and a lithium compound component.

Cathode conversion materials may exist in a discharged state, a charged state, or an intermediate charge state. In some cases, a battery is designed or operated so that full discharge is never attained. Thus, if the fully charged conversion material is ferric fluoride (FeF₃), for example, the “fully” discharged cathode may contain a mixture of elemental iron (Fe), lithium fluoride (LiF), possibly some ferric fluoride (FeF₃), and possibly some ferrous fluoride (FeF₂). The use of “discharged” or “discharged state” herein is a relative term, referring only to a state of a conversion material that is more discharged than a charged state of the conversion material. The use of “charged” or “charged state” herein refers to a state of a conversion material that is more charged than a corresponding discharged state of the material.

In the discharged state, the metal species is generally more reduced than in the charged state. For example, the metal species may be an elemental state or have a lower oxidation state (e.g., +2 rather than +3). Further, during discharge, the oxidizing species may pair with the reducing cation species and unpair from the metal species. Also during discharge, the reducing cation species may tend to move into the cathode where it becomes oxidized by pairing with the oxidizing species. Pairing is typically manifest by formation of a chemical bond, such as a covalent or ionic bond.

In certain implementations, the conversion material in the discharged state includes an elemental metal material, one or more oxidizing species, and a reducing cation material. As an example, the discharge state may include at least an elemental metal such as iron (Fe) and a reducing cation halide such as lithium fluoride (LiF). The components of the discharged conversion material may be intimately distributed with one other in the discharged material. These materials may be intermixed or distributed at a scale of about 20 nm or smaller.

In the charged state, the metal species may tend to pair with the oxidizing species, often forming a compound. During charging, the oxidizing species tends to unpair from the reducing cation species and pair with the metal species. The reducing cation species tend to move out of the cathode and migrate and/or diffuse to the anode, where they exist in a more strongly reduced state (e.g., as an elemental metal such as lithium metal, or lithium inserted in a matrix of carbon or silicon).

As an example, during charge, elemental iron (Fe) may pair with fluorine anions (F⁻) to form ferric fluoride (FeF₃) and/or ferrous fluoride (FeF₂). The cathode may also include LiFeF₃, Li₃FeF₆, or similar lithiated compound in a charged state. In some examples, the lithiated iron compound has a lithium to iron atomic ratio of between about 1:1 and about 3:1. Concurrently, fluoride anions (F⁻) may unpair from a reducing cation metal species such as lithium of lithium fluoride (LiF). The newly freed lithium cation (Li⁺) may then migrate and/or diffuse to the anode, where it is reduced to elemental lithium (Li) or a lithium intercalation material.

Chemical Reaction and Properties

In the charged state, the conversion material contains a compound of a metal. In some embodiments, the electrochemical charge-discharge reaction at the cathode may be represented, without stoichiometry considerations, by the following reaction:

M+LiX

MX+Li⁺ +e ⁻  (1)

where M is the metal species and X is the oxidizing species, e.g., an anion or electron-rich species of an element such as a halide, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, selenium, or a combination of such elements. In a specific example, the oxidizing species is a combination of a halogen ion and a chalcogen ion (e.g., fluoride and sulfide). In certain variations of the above chemical reaction, lithium is replaced with sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), magnesium (Mg+), or another electropositive metal ion. Certain disclosed embodiments use a redox reaction of lithium ions with a metal fluoride as a source of energy in cathode materials.

The metal compound MX present in the charged cathode material may react with lithium ions according to a discharge path described above. Typically, the discharge reaction is associated with a relatively large Gibbs free energy when considering the full cell reaction Li+MX→LiX+M. The Gibbs free energy corresponding to the cell voltage of the reaction is given by

ΔG _(rxn) =−E*n*F  (2)

where E is the voltage, n is the number of electrons that react, and F is the Faraday constant. In certain embodiments, the Gibbs free energy of the reaction is at least about 500 kJ/mol or at least about 750 kJ/mol, or at least about 1 MJ/mol. This provides a very high available energy for a battery and compares favorably with that of a standard lithium insertion (or lithium intercalation, depending on the electrode matrix) cathode material, such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂), lithium manganese oxide (LiMnO₂), lithium titanate (Li₂TiO₃), and the like used in conventional lithium ion batteries.

In certain implementations, the voltage of a fully charged cathode as described in the disclosed embodiments is at least about 2.0V compared to a lithium metal electrode, or at least about 3.0V compared to a lithium metal electrode, or at least about 4.0V compared to a lithium metal electrode, or at least about 4.5V compared to a lithium metal electrode.

Electrode Capacity

The conversion materials disclosed herein combine during discharge with multiple lithium ions per transition metal. During charge, intercalation reactions involve at most one lithium ion per transition metal (e.g., as lithium is reduced from Li⁺ to Li⁰, cobalt oxidizes from Co³⁺ to Co⁴⁺), whereas in conversion materials such as those with ferric fluoride (FeF₃), three lithium ions react per transition metal. In fact, most insertion compounds react half a lithium ion per transition metal because the electrode structure becomes unstable if more than ½ of the lithium is extracted. Thus, the transition metal electrode materials disclosed herein provide a significantly higher capacity (e.g., about 700 mAh/g or greater) than conventional electrode materials (e.g., 140 mAh/g for LiCoO₂). The capacity is available even at high rates and over many cycles when the electrode possesses suitably high ionic and electronic conductivity as disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the cathode conversion material, as fabricated, has a specific capacity of at least about 600 mAh/g of the fully charged cathode material. In some embodiments, the cathode material maintains this fully charged capacity over multiple cycles. The fully charged material is the stoichiometric metal compound, MX. For example, the cathode material may maintain a capacity of at least about 600 mAh/g when discharged at a rate of at least about 200 mA/g of fully charged cathode material.

In some implementations, the material maintains this capacity at higher discharge rates of at least about 600 mA/g of fully charged cathode material. In certain embodiments, the material maintains the capacity at discharge rates of up to about 6000 mA/g of fully charged cathode material. This discharge rate may be maintained at a constant value or may vary over discharge without dropping below, e.g., 200 mA/g.

In some embodiments, the cathode material maintains a high capacity at high rates (e.g., at least about 600 mAh/g at 200 mA/g) over multiple charge-discharge cycles. High capacity performance may be achieved when cycling over a range of temperatures, e.g., from about 0° C. to 100° C., or about 20° C. to 100° C. In some cases, the electrode material is able to maintain such a high rate capacity over about 10 cycles or more. Often it will be able to maintain this high rate capacity even longer, e.g., over about 20 cycles or more, or over about 50 cycles or more, or over about 100 cycles or more, or over about 500 cycles or more. In each cycle, the cathode material discharges the full 600 mAh/g charge. Such cycling may be conducted such that the voltage of the cathode is between 4V and 1V vs. Li/Li′. In some embodiments, the charge rate may be higher than 200 mA/g, higher than 600 mA/g, or higher than 6000 mA/h, and the material maintains a capacity of about at least 600 mAh/g. High capacity performance may be achieved when cycling over a range of temperatures, e.g., from about 0° C. to 100° C., or about 20° C. to 100° C.

In certain embodiments, the conversion material provides a capacity of greater than about 350 mAh/g of active material when cycled between 1V and 4V vs. a lithium metal anode at about 100° C. with a charge/discharge rate of 200 mA/g. In other embodiments, the electrode material provides a capacity of greater than about 500 mAh/g, or greater than about 600 mAh/g, or greater than about 700 mAh/g. In each case, the capacity value is for the active material cycled in the voltage range of 1V to 4V vs. a lithium metal anode when cycled at about 100° C. with a charge/discharge rate of 200 mA/g. In another embodiment, the electrode materials described herein provide a capacity of between about 350 mAh/g and about 750 mAh/g when cycled between 1V and 4V against a lithium metal anode at about 100° C. with a charge/discharge rate of 200 mA/g. In another embodiment, the electrode materials may have a specific capacity of greater than about 400 mAh/g when discharged between 1V and 4.5V vs. a standard lithium metal electrode (Li/Li+) at a rate of 400 mA/g and a temperature of 120° C., or between 1.5V and 4V vs. Li at a rate greater than 1 C and a temperature above 50° C.

In certain implementations, a battery containing a cathode as described herein has an energy density of at least about 50 Wh/kg or between about 50 and 1000 Wh/kg when measured at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius when cycled between 1V and 4V vs. Li and at a current density of at least about 200 mA/g of cathode active material. In another embodiment, a device as described herein has an energy density of between about 100 and 750 Wh/kg when measured as described. In another embodiment, a device as described herein has an energy density of between about 250 and 650 Wh/kg when measured as described. In another embodiment, a device as described herein has an energy density of greater than about 250 Wh/kg when measured as described. As used herein, energy density is the energy density at the device level; i.e., the total energy stored in the device divided by the mass of the device, where the mass of the device includes the mass of the anode, cathode, electrolyte, current collectors and packaging of the device. From a volumetric perspective, in certain embodiments, the device has an energy density of at least about 600 Wh/L under the conditions set forth above. While many of the parameters presented herein are presented for electrodes operated at a temperature of 100 C, it should be understood that the parameters may in some instances be achieved at lower temperatures, such as 60 C, 30 C, 10 C, or 0 C.

In certain embodiments, a cathode as described herein has an electrode energy density of between about 500 and 2500 Wh/kg when measured at a temperature of 100° C. In another embodiment, a cathode as described herein has an electrode energy density of between about 800 and 1750 Wh/kg. In another embodiment, a cathode as described herein has an energy density of between about 1000 and 1600 Wh/kg. In another embodiment, a cathode as described herein has an energy density of greater than about 1000 Wh/kg. As used herein, electrode energy density is the energy density at the electrode level; i.e., the total energy stored in the device divided by the mass of the cathode in the discharged state, where the mass of the electrode includes the mass of the electrochemically active conversion material, lithium, positive current collector, and any electrochemically inactive components in the cathode such as ion or electron conductor additives and any protective coating on the active material.

In some cases, cathodes fabricated from high capacity conversion materials have an average discharge voltage greater than about 2V vs. lithium metal when discharged under above conditions (100° C. and a charge/discharge rate of 200 mA/g). In some embodiments, cathodes fabricated from such conversion materials have an average discharge voltage greater than about 2.2 V vs. lithium metal when discharged under above conditions.

Voltage hysteresis is the difference between the discharge voltage and the charge voltage, both varied as a function of state of charge. It represents the inefficiency of the battery—energy lost to heat, often due to sluggishness of either ion transport or reactions. The inefficiencies are manifest as overvoltages required to drive the reactions, which cause the discharge voltage to be lower than the open circuit voltage and the charge voltage to be higher than the open circuit voltage. Low hysteresis means that the battery is efficient.

In certain embodiments, devices employing the conversion cathode materials described herein provide an average voltage hysteresis of less than 1V in the voltage range of 1V to 4V vs. a lithium metal electrode at about 100° C. with a charge/discharge rate of 200 mA/g. In another version, such devices provide an average voltage hysteresis of less than 0.7V when cycled between 1V and 4V vs. a lithium metal electrode at about 100° C. with a charge/discharge rate of 200 mA/g. In an embodiment, the devices provide an average voltage hysteresis of less than about 1V when cycled between 1V and 4V vs. a lithium metal electrode at about 100° C. with a charge/discharge rate of 600 mA/g. In an embodiment, the devices provide an average voltage hysteresis of less than about 1V when cycled between 1.5V and 4V vs. a lithium metal electrode at about 50° C. with a charge/discharge rate of 200 mA/g. In certain embodiments, this hysteresis level is maintained for at least 10 cycles, or at least 30 cycles, or at least 50 cycles, or at least 100 cycles.

Function and Structure of Conversion Materials

The cathode material that contains an elemental metal or alloy and a lithium compound (in a discharged state) or a metal compound (in the charged state) may be provided in the form of extremely small particles or nanodomains.

The size scale of the conversion material components in a charged or discharged state may influence the relevant electrochemical properties of the materials. Conversion materials with components separated by very small distances, sometimes on the order of the atomic scale, may possess certain performance benefits as compared to conversion materials with components separated by greater distances. In some embodiments, the components are separated by a distance no greater than about 20 nm. The term “nanostructured” is sometimes used to refer to conversion materials in charged or discharged states in which the component materials are separated from another at a scale of about 20 nm or less.

In some embodiments, in the discharged state, the conversion material contains discrete domains of an elemental metal (or an alloy thereof) and a lithium compound. In various embodiments, these domains are contained in particles, which may be coated as described herein. The domains may be in the interiors or cores of the particles.

Various components of the conversion material may be mixed and/or otherwise exist at nanostructured scale. The individual domains may be nanodomains. Nanodomains may have an average or median characteristic dimension of about 20 nm or less, or about 10 nm or less, or about 5 nm or less. Using ferric fluoride (FeF₃) as an example conversion material, the nanodomains may be primarily iron (Fe) and lithium fluoride (LiF) in the discharged state. In the charged state, the nanodomains are primarily ferric fluoride (FeF₃). Domains may be compositionally homogenous (e.g., containing exclusively metal species) or inhomogeneous (e.g., composed of a combination of metal species, oxidizing species, and reducing cation species). In both states, the nanodomains may be crystalline or amorphous/glassy.

In some embodiments, the discrete domains of metal or alloy are present in small particles or other discrete structures. In some embodiments, the discrete domains of metal or alloy are embedded in a continuous matrix of the lithium compound. In some embodiments, the domains of the cathode have a very tight distribution, e.g., a standard deviation of about 50% or less. In some implementations, at least about 90% of the domains in the electrode have a characteristic dimension of between about 1 nm and about 5 nm. In some embodiments, the domains' characteristic dimension has a d₅₀ value of about 20 nm or less, or about 10 nm or less, or about 5 nm or less, where d₅₀ is defined as the characteristic dimension at which 50% of the domains are smaller. The domains may be present in these sizes at any point in the life of the cathode. In some examples, the domains are present in these sizes in the cathode as fabricated. In some examples, the domains are present in these sizes after the first discharge of the cathode, or after the first full charge/discharge cycle of the cathode. In certain embodiments, the average size of the domains of the cathode do not vary in characteristic dimension by more than about 500%, or by about 100% over multiple cycles (e.g., 10 cycles, 50 cycles, 100 cycles, or 500 cycles).

In the charged state, the cathode conversion material may maintain the general morphological characteristics present in the discharged state. These characteristics include component separation distance (e.g., particle or crystallite size), matrix structure (e.g., glassy or amorphous), etc. In certain embodiments, a conversion material has a glassy or amorphous morphology, which is associated with high cationic and/or electronic conductivity. In some cases, the material will expand in the discharged state. Depending on the material, the volume change may be about 5% or greater, or about 10% or greater.

In various embodiments, the conversion material is formed or mixed such that its components are separated on a scale of about 1 nm or less, and such materials may be characterized as glassy or amorphous. A glassy material may be viewed as one that is substantially non-crystalline, substantially uniform in composition, and substantially lacking in long-range order. In some examples, a glassy conversion material is substantially homogeneous (compositionally and/or morphologically) within a volume of 1000 nm³.

In one example, ferric fluoride (FeF₃) in a charged conversion material may be characterized by a glassy or amorphous structure and being substantially homogeneous with no or minimal crystalline structure. In some examples, in the discharged state, the conversion material may include a glassy compound of lithium, sodium, and/or magnesium. Such glassy or amorphous structures may be provided as particles, layers, etc. Within the particles or layers, the domains of component metal, oxidizing, and reducing cation species are, on average, separated from one another by a distance no greater than about 20 nm. In some cases, particles having a glassy or amorphous state may be substantially unagglomerated. In other cases, at least some of the particles form agglomerates.

The extremely small constituent separation distances described herein provide a relatively short diffusion/migration path for the lithium or other electropositive ions to move from the outside of a particle or domain to the reactive metal compound sites within a particle or domain during discharge, or from a lithium compound within the particle or domain to the particle or domain surface during charge. During charge, lithium ions may leave lithium fluoride, for example, and transport to the exterior of the domain where they contact the electrolyte. After leaving a particle or domain, a lithium ion may have to contact some other ion conductive matrix in the electrode before reaching the electrolyte.

Conversely, on discharge, lithium ions undergo a journey from the electrolyte of the body of the electrode, where they may travel some distance before reaching a destination domain, which they enter and pass into before finding a reactive metal compound site. Only after this multistage transport does the lithium ion participate in the redox reaction to generate electrochemical energy (discharge). The reverse path is traversed during charge. Using small separation distances of active material permits the cathode to operate with improved rate performance that is not available in conventional batteries.

A further benefit derived from the extremely small compound separation distances is the comparatively shorter diffusion distance between the metal atoms and the anions. As the metal and anion atoms are larger and more massive, their transport is generally slower than that of lithium. The provided nanostructure puts metal atoms in close proximity to anions, reducing the distance they must diffuse.

An additional challenge to realizing the potential benefits of conversion materials arises from the high surface area to mass ratio of very small particles. The large surface area, as a function of mass of reactive material, results in a relatively large fraction of the active material converting to a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer, which extracts much of the available lithium and presents it in an unusable form. It also therefore results in a relatively short cycle life as the SEI layer may continue to grow for a few cycles. The SEI that forms around a particle which undergoes significant volume changes during cycling may sometimes crack, providing a fresh surface that must be covered by an SEI layer. The growing SEI contains mass that does not contribute to the energy stored in the battery and may present a barrier to lithium transport, thus reducing the rate performance of the battery.

Example Electrodes with Conversion Materials

FIG. 2A depicts four examples of electrode formats with conversion materials. Many variations, alternatives, and modifications are possible. The particles or domains described above are nanostructured (e.g., separated from one another by less than about 20 nm length scale), and these particles or domains may be combined to form primary and secondary particle structures shown in Examples 1-4 in FIG. 2A. While not depicted in these figures, the depicted particles may be coated with a protective material as described elsewhere herein.

Example 1 (top left of FIG. 2A) depicts an embodiment in which the electrode active material includes non-encapsulated nanodomains of lithium fluoride, elemental metal, and metal fluoride. Such material may exist at any state of charge, but will most typically exist at or near full discharge. Example 2 (top right) depicts an electrode format in which metal fluoride nanoparticles and lithium fluoride nanoparticles are encapsulated in an elemental metal matrix. In each of the encapsulation examples, the encapsulation unit may exist as distinct particles or as a continuous layer. Example 3 (bottom left) illustrates a format in which a metal fluoride matrix encapsulates lithium fluoride nanodomains and elemental metal nanodomains. Example 4 (bottom right) depicts a format in which lithium fluoride encapsulates metal fluoride particles or nanodomains and elemental metal particles or nanodomains.

FIG. 2B depicts additional examples of particle and nanodomain structures that may be employed in ferric fluoride and related conversion materials. In the example of FIG. 2B, the structure in the upper left side is a primary particle 211 that may be found in a discharged cathode. The primary particle 211 includes discrete nanodomains of iron metal 213 and lithium fluoride 215. Often, a primary particle has a characteristic cross-sectional dimension of about 100 nm or less. As mentioned, the nanodomains that make up a primary particle have cross-sectional dimensions of about 20 nm or less (e.g., about 5 nm or less). In some embodiments, a primary particle has a median diameter of between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm, or between about 200 nm and about 300 nm. The median diameter is defined as the distance for which about 50% of the sample volume is contained within particles with diameter smaller than that distance. In some cases, the nanodomains are glassy or compositionally homogeneous.

The top right structure in FIG. 2B depicts a secondary particle 217 (not drawn to scale) of discharged ferric fluoride (FeF3) conversion material. Secondary particles are made up of primary particles 211, such as those presented in the top left structure, and possibly particles of an ionically conductive material and/or electronically conductive material 219. Secondary particles may be agglomerates or clumps of primary particles and optionally particles of ionically/electronically conductive materials. In some implementations, secondary particles are present in a slurry used to coat a positive current collector when forming the cathode. In certain embodiments, secondary particles have a cross-sectional dimension of about 0.1 micrometers to about 5 micrometers. All dimensions presented in the discussion of FIG. 2B are median values. Any of the primary and/or secondary particles depicted in FIG. 2B may be coated with an isolating coating as described elsewhere herein.

The lower left and lower right structures presented in FIG. 2B represent primary particle 221 and a secondary particle 223, respectfully, of fully charged ferric fluoride (FeF3) conversion material. Other conversion materials may be substitute for ferric fluoride FeF3 and its discharge products in the structures presented in FIG. 2B.

Composition of Conversion Materials: Metal Component

In some embodiments, the “conversion reaction” may be written as

aM+bLi_(c)X

M_(a)X_(b)+(b*c)Li⁺+(b*c)e ⁻

M_(a)X_(b)+(b*c)Li  (3)

The left side of Reaction 3 represents the cathode active materials in the discharged state, where the cathode active component includes a metal component M, and a lithium compound component Li_(n)X. In this reaction, c is the formal oxidation state of anion X.

The right side of Reaction 3 represents the system in the charged state, where cathode active materials have been converted into the metal compound component M_(a)X_(b) and the Li ions leave the cathode through the electrolyte, and electrons are provided to the external circuit.

X is generally any anionic species forming stable compounds Li_(n)X and M_(a)X_(b), with lithium and metal M respectively. Examples of suitable oxidizing species anions X in the conversion materials corresponding to Reaction 1 include oxygen (O), sulfur (S), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), fluorine (F), selenium (Se), chlorine (Cl), iodine (I), and combinations thereof

Examples of suitable metal species M include transition metals, aluminum, and bismuth. In some cases, the metal is selected from the first row of transition metals. Specific examples of transition metals that may be used include bismuth (Bi), aluminum (Al), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), ruthenium (Ru), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W). In certain implementations, the metal component is selected from iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and cobalt (Co). In a certain embodiments, the metal component is iron. In some embodiments, the metal component is copper. In some embodiments, the metal component is cobalt.

Alloys of such metals may also be used. Examples of such alloys include iron alloyed with cobalt and iron alloyed with manganese. In certain embodiments, the metal component includes a mixture or alloy of a first metal and a second metal. In certain implementations of mixed metal component, the metal component includes separate nanodomains of the first metal and the second metal. In another embodiment, the metal component includes nanodomains of a mixture or alloy of the first and second metals. In certain embodiments, the first metal is Fe and the second metal is Cu.

Generally the lithium compound component is any lithium compound that upon charging of the device yields (i) lithium ions that migrate to the anode, and (ii) anions that react with the metal component to provide a metal compound component. In the charged state, therefore, the cathode material includes a metal compound component. The anion in the lithium compound may generally be any anion that forms the lithium compound in the discharged state and the metal compound in the charged state. In certain implementations, the lithium compound is a lithium halide, lithium sulfide, lithium sulfur-halide, lithium oxide, lithium nitride, lithium phosphide, lithium hydride, lithium selenide, or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the lithium compound is a lithium halide. In one version the lithium compound is lithium fluoride.

Specific examples of metal compounds M_(a)X_(b) that may be used include, without limitation, the compounds listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Example Metal Compounds for Conversion Materials X═O X═S X═N X═P X═F Bi BiF₃ Ti TiF₃ V VF₃ Cr Cr₂O₃ CrS CrN CrF₃ Mn MnO₂, MnS MnP₄ Mn₂O₅, MnO Fe Fe₂O₃, FeS₂, Fe₃N FeP FeF₃, FeO FeS FeF₂ Co Co₃O₄, CoS₂, CoN, CoP₃ CoF₂, CoO Co_(0.92)S, Co₃N CoF₃ Co₉S₈ Ni NiO NiS₂, Ni₃N NiP₃, NiF₂ NiS, NiP₂, Ni₃S₂ Ni₃P Cu CuO, CuS, CuP₂, CuF₂ Cu₂O Cu₂S Cu₃P Mo MoO₃, MoS₂ MoO₂ W WS₂ Ru RuO₂

Examples of suitable charged state cathode materials include sulfides, oxides, halides, phosphides, nitrides, chalcogenides, oxysulfides, oxyfluorides, sulfur-fluorides, and sulfur-oxyfluorides. In various embodiments, the charged conversion material includes one or more of the following: AgF; AlF₃; BiF₃; B₂O₃; CO₃O₄; CoO; CoS₂; CO_(0.92)S; Co₃S₄; Co₉S₈; CoN; Co₃N; CoP₃; CoF₂; CoF₃; Cr₂O₃; Cr₃O₄; CrS; CrN; CrF₃; CuO; Cu₂O; CuS; Cu₂S; CuP₂; Cu₃P; CuF₂; Fe₂O₃; FeO; FeOF; FeS₂; FeS; Fe₂S₂F₃; Fe₃N; FeP; FeF₂, FeF₃; Ga₂O₃; GeO₂; MnO₂; Mn₂O₃; Mn₂O₅; MnO; MnS; MnS₂; MnP₄; MnF₂, MnF₃, MnF₄, MoO₃; MoO₂; MoS₂; Nb₂O₅; NiO; NiS₂; NiS; Ni₃S₂; Ni₃N; NiP₃; NiP₂; Ni₃P; NiF₂; PbO; RuO₂; Sb₂O₃; SnF₂; SnO₂; SrO₂; TiS₂; TiF₃; V₂O₃; V₂O₅; VF₃; WS₂; ZnF₂; and combinations thereof. As an example, a suitable cathode material is, in the charged state, ferric fluoride (FeF₃) in very small particles, which may be the size of a quantum dot (e.g., about 5 nm in the smallest cross-section) or in a glassy or amorphous state. In certain implementations, the metal compound component is FeF_(x), where x is between 1 and 3. In certain embodiments, the metal compound component is CuF_(x), where x is between 1 and 3. In certain implementations, the metal compound component is CoF_(x), where x is between 1 and 3.

The conversion material may be discharged with a cation that undergoes an exothermic reaction with the conversion material. The cation is often low-cost and lightweight (relative small atomic mass). Lithium is not the only example. Other examples include magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na).

In certain embodiments, the three elements are intimately intermixed on an atomic scale. The relative amounts of the lithium compound component and the metal component can vary widely, but should be appropriate for a battery cell. For example, the components may be provided in relative amounts that do not introduce substantial unused material that will not contribute to electrochemical energy conversion or enhance conductivity. In some embodiments where iron is used as the metal component, the mole ratio of iron to lithium in the cathode active material is about 2 to 8, or about 3 to 8. In some embodiments employing valence 2 metals such as copper, the mole ratio of metal to lithium in the cathode active material is about 1 to 5. In various implementations, the conversion material is characterized by an iron (Fe) to fluorine (F) to lithium (Li) ratio of from about 1:1.5:1.5 to 1:4.5:4.5. As an example for ferric fluoride (FeF₃) conversion material and Li cation, the conversion material when created, or when in the discharged state, may be an amorphous mixture of lithium (Li), iron (Fe), and fluorine (F) in the ratio of approximately 3:1:3 (Li₃FeF₃).

Composition of Conversion Materials: Lithium Metal Component

In some embodiments, at some point in the state of charge of the electrode, the cathode includes an active component that includes a lithium metal compound component. Generally, the lithium metal compound component is any compound that includes lithium, a non-lithium metal, and an anion. Upon charging the device, the lithium metal compound component yields lithium ions that migrate to the anode and a metal compound.

In some embodiments, the reaction may be written as

Li_(d)M_(e)X_(f)

dLi⁺ +de ⁻+M_(e)X_(f)

dLi+M_(e)X_(f)  (4)

The left side of Reaction 4 represents the cathode active materials in the discharged state, where the cathode active component includes a lithium metal component Li_(d)M_(e)X_(f) and the right side of Reaction 4 represents the system in the charged state, where the cathode active materials have been converted into the metal compound component M_(e)X_(f), and the Li ions are provided for diffusion through the electrolyte to the anode and the electrons are provided to the external circuit. In Reaction 4, all of the lithium in the lithium metal compound is converted to lithium ions. In another embodiment, less than all of the lithium in the lithium metal component is converted to lithium ions. One version of such a reaction is given by Reaction 5:

Li_(d)M_(e)X_(f)

gLi⁺ +ge ⁻+Li_(d-g)M_(e)X_(f)  (5)

where g<d. Depending on the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the Li_(d-g)M_(e)X_(f) compound, such compound may exist as Li_(d-g)M_(e)X_(f) or may be a mixture of one or more of a lithium compound, a metal compound, and a lithium metal compound.

In certain embodiments, the lithium metal compound component is a lithium metal oxide, a lithium metal sulfide, a lithium metal nitride, a lithium metal phosphide, a lithium metal halide or a lithium metal hydride, or mixtures thereof. In certain implementations, the lithium metal compound component is a lithium metal halide. In certain embodiments, the lithium metal compound component is a lithium metal fluoride. In certain implementations, the lithium metal compound component is a lithium iron fluoride. In certain embodiments, the lithium metal compound component is a lithium copper fluoride. In one version the lithium metal compound component is a lithium cobalt fluoride. In one version the lithium metal compound component is a lithium nickel fluoride.

Composition of Cathodes: Conducting Component

In some embodiments, the cathode includes a mixed electron-ion conducting component (“MEIC component”) together with an active component as described above. The MEIC component may generally be made of any material that is compatible with the other materials of the device and allows electron and lithium ion transport sufficient for operation of the device. In certain implementations, the MEIC component is a material having an electronic conductivity of 10⁻⁷ S/cm or greater at the device operating temperature. In certain embodiments, the MEIC component is a material having a lithium ion conductivity of 10⁻⁷ S/cm or greater at the device operating temperature.

Examples of materials that may be used as the MEIC component include, without limitation, lithium titanates, lithium iron phosphates, vanadium oxides, cobalt oxides, manganese oxides, lithium suphides, molybdenum sulphides, iron sulphides, LiPON, MoO₃, V₂O₅, carbon, copper oxides, lithium insertion compounds such as LiCoO₂, Li(CoMn)O₂, LiMn₂O₄, Li(CoNiMn)O₂, Li(NiCoAl)O₂, or other materials having relatively high lithium ion conductivity. In certain implementations, the MEIC component is made of the same material as that of the solid state electrolyte. In certain embodiments, the MEIC component is made of a different material than that of the solid state electrolyte. The MEIC component may itself possess electrochemical activity (e.g., MoO₃ or V₂O₅) or may not show electrochemical activity (e.g., LiPON). In certain implementations, the MEIC is LiPON.

If the cathode includes an MEIC component, the minimum amount of MEIC component will generally be the amount that allows sufficient lithium ion and electron transport for functioning of the device. The maximum amount will be that amount of MEIC that provides an electrochemically active cathode material with the required specific capacity or other electrical characteristics when operating at required rates, voltage windows, and states of charge. In certain embodiments of the devices including an MEIC, the minimum amount of MEIC is about 1% or about 5% of the cathode material by weight. In one version of the devices including an MEIC, the maximum amount of MEIC is about 50% or 25% of the cathode material by weight.

The MEIC material may be provided in the electrode in various forms. In one example, small particles of MEIC are mixed with the electrochemically active particles and compressed. In another example, the MEIC arrays into vertical wires. The MEIC may include at least two materials, one having high electron conductivity and another having high ionic conductivity.

In some embodiments of the device, the cathode includes an electron conductor dispersed to increase the electron conductivity of the electrode. In some embodiments, the component has an electron conductivity value about 10⁻⁷ S/cm. This compound may be a carbon or metal compound in some embodiments. Examples of forms of carbon that may be employed include graphite, activated carbon, nanotubes, nanofibers, nanowires, graphene, graphene oxide, etc. A cathode may include active material with about 10% or about 20% of an electron conductor by weight or less. Examples of such material may be nanowires, nanoparticles, and nanocrystals and materials may be oriented in the direction from the electrode to the electrolyte, or may be randomly dispersed. In certain embodiments, the material forms a percolating network throughout the cathode.

In some embodiments, the cathode includes a Li ionic conductor dispersed to increase the ion conductivity of the electrode. Example materials may be nanowires, nanoparticles, or nanocrystals. These may be oriented in the direction from the electrode to the electrolyte, or may be randomly dispersed. The ion material may be formed in coverings around active material particles. In certain embodiments, the material forms a percolating network throughout the cathode. In some embodiments, the material has an ion conductivity of at least 10⁻⁷ S/cm, or at least 10⁻⁵ S/cm, or at least 10⁻⁴ S/cm at the operating temperature of the device. A non-limiting list of example materials includes lithium iron phosphate, carbon, Li₂O—SiO₂—ZrO₂, Li—Al—Ti—P—O—N, LiMO₂, Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂, Li_(1.5)Al_(0.5)Ge_(1.5)(PO₄)₃, Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂, Li₉SiAlO₈, Li₃Nd₃Te₂O₁₂, Li₅La₃M₂O₁₂ (M=Nb, Ta), Li_(5+x)M_(x)La_(3-x)Ta₂O₁₂ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba), LiPON, lithium sulfide, lithium iron sulfide, iron sulfide, lithium phosphate, Lisicon, thio-lisicon, glassy structures, lanthanum lithium titanate, garnet structures, β″ alumina, and lithium solid electrolytes. In some embodiments, the ion conductivity of the material is at least greater than the ion conductivity of the electrolyte. The ion conductor may be present in amounts of about 20% or less or about 10% or less of the active material in the cathode.

Anode

The anode may generally be made of any material that is compatible with the other materials of the device and which may store lithium atoms or ions when the device is in the charged state and may provide lithium ions for incorporation into the cathode when the device is in the discharged state. In certain embodiments, the anode active material is lithium metal. In another embodiment, the anode is lithium silicide, Li—Sn, or other high capacity, low voltage material that alloys with lithium. In an embodiment, the anode is lithium intercalated into a carbon component, such as graphite. In various embodiments, the anode active material is a material capable of inserting lithium ions at a higher reversibility capacity than carbon, such as tin, magnesium, germanium, silicon, oxides of these materials, and the like.

In some embodiments, the anode is a porous material that allows lithium plating into the pores, thereby relieving the swelling stress. Swelling stress may occur if the anode, such as lithium, plates on the electrolyte, thereby causing swelling. In some embodiments, the pores are carbon nanotubes, carbon buckyballs, carbon fibers, activated carbon, graphite, porous silicon, aerogels, zeolites, or xerogels.

In certain implementations, the anode is formed in situ during the first charge cycle of the battery. In a case where the device is fabricated in the discharged state with a lithiated cathode, the first charge cycle extracts lithium from the cathode and deposits lithium on the anode side. In the case where the anode is a lithium metal anode, the anode is thereby formed in situ by plating on the anode current collector. In this case, the anode current collector may be a metal that does not alloy with or react with lithium. A non-limiting list of examples for anode current collector material includes TaN, TiN, Cu, Fe, stainless steel, steel, W, Ni, Mo, or alloys thereof. In certain embodiments, there is an excess of lithium in the device as fabricated on the cathode. In another embodiment, there is an excess of lithium in the device as fabricated on the anode side, possibly in the anode current collector. An excess of lithium may be desirable to prolong the cycle life to the battery, as some lithium will inevitably be lost due to side reactions, alloying with current collectors or in reactions with air and/or water that leak into the device. In certain embodiments, there is an encapsulation that substantially prevents ingress of air and water into the active materials. The encapsulation may be LiPON, an oxide, nitride, oxynitride, resin, epoxy, polymer, parylene, metal such as Ti or Al, or multilayer combinations thereof.

Current Collectors

The devices described herein include optional positive and/or negative electrode current collectors. The current collectors generally may be made of any material capable of delivering electrons to the anode or the cathode from the external circuit or delivering electrons to the external circuit from the anode and cathode. In certain implementations, the current collectors are made of a highly electronically conductive material such as a metal. In certain embodiments, the device does not include a cathode current collector and electrons are transferred to and from the cathode directly to the external circuit. In certain implementations, the device does not include an anode current collector and electrons are transferred to and from the anode directly to the external circuit. In certain embodiments, the device does not include either a cathode current collector or an anode current collector.

In certain implementations, the negative electrode current collector is copper. In certain embodiments, the negative current collector is a copper alloy. In certain implementations, the negative current collector is copper alloyed with a metal selected from nickel, zinc and aluminum or copper coated on a metal or polymer foil. In certain implementations, the current collector is copper and also includes a layer of a non-copper metal disposed between the copper and the cathode or anode material. In certain embodiments, the positive current collector is copper and also includes a layer of nickel, zinc or aluminum disposed between the copper and the anode material.

In certain embodiments, the positive current collector is aluminum. In certain implementations, the positive current collector is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In certain embodiments, the positive current collector is aluminum and also includes a layer of a non-aluminum metal disposed between the aluminum and the cathode or anode material. In certain embodiments, the current collector is steel or stainless steel. In certain implementations, the current collector is steel or stainless steel and also includes a layer of a non-steel metal disposed between the steel and the cathode or anode material. The cathode current collector and negative electrode current collector may be different materials chosen among those enumerated above or any other suitable material.

Thin Film Cathodes

In some embodiments, a thin film of electrochemically active cathode material is formed between a positive current collector and the electrolyte, which in turn contacts an anode or anode current collector. Optionally, an MEIC component may also be included. Any active component and MEIC component described above may be used. The thin film may be a continuous layer, which may be deposited by sputtering. Alternatively, it may be a layer including particles and/or nanodomains and is optionally held together by a binder. In some embodiments, the thin film cathode has a thickness of between about 2.5 nm and about 500 nm, or between about 5 nm and 300 nm, or about 200 nm or greater.

In certain embodiments, the cathode may contain a first thickness of lithium fluoride material configured in either amorphous or polycrystalline state. The cathode may also include a first plurality of nucleated iron metal species overlying the first thickness of lithium fluoride material. The cathode may also have a second thickness of lithium fluoride material formed overlying the first plurality of iron metal species. The second thickness of lithium fluoride material may be configured in either an amorphous or polycrystalline state to cause formation of a lithiated conversion material. The cathode region may be characterized by an energy density of greater than 80% to about 100% of a theoretical energy density of the cathode region. In some embodiments, the plurality of metal species nucleated overlying the first thickness of lithium fluoride material causes formation of exposed regions of the first thickness of lithium fluoride material, or a thinner region of iron metal species disposed between a pair of the plurality of iron metal species. For example, each of the first thickness of lithium fluoride material or the second thickness of lithium fluoride material may be between about 30 nm and 0.2 nm. Each of the first plurality of iron metal species may have a diameter of about 5 nm to 0.2 nm. The plurality of first iron metal species may be spatially disposed evenly overlying the thickness of the first thickness of lithium fluoride material. The entire thin film cathode may be coated with an isolating coating as described herein. Typically, such coating resides adjacent to the electrolyte, e.g., electrolyte 102 in FIG. 1B.

Iron Migration

While charging, the metal component (e.g., iron) of the conversion material may escape from the cathode and enter the electrolyte. In some cases, the metal may ultimately come into contact with the anode and create a short circuit between the anode and cathode and rendering the battery inoperable. Iron may transport out of the cathode in various forms such as a zero valence atom, iron(II) ion, iron(III) ion, and any combination thereof

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of the effect of iron migration. While the figure shows a particle of conversion material, which contains many such particles, the concept applies to thin-films of conversion material as well. In FIG. 3A, a section of a discharged cell is depicted. In the discharged state, the particle includes metal atoms, such as iron, and metal halides, such as lithium fluoride. For purposes of this illustration, iron as a zero valence atom, an iron(II) ion, or an iron(III) ion are all labeled as “Fe” or “Metal.”

FIG. 3B schematically depicts the particle shown in FIG. 3A but while charging. When charging, lithium fluoride undergoes an electrochemical reaction leaving fluoride ions in the particle, which subsequently bind to iron in the particle, while lithium ions and electrons leave the particle, with the lithium ions entering the electrolyte and traveling to the anode. The electrons exit the cathode though a current collector. The depiction also shows some iron undesirably escaping the particle before it can bind to any fluoride ions in the particle left by the lithium fluoride. These iron atoms and/or ions may stay in the electrolyte or transport to the anode, where they may accumulate to cause a short circuit. Either way, the exiting iron becomes unavailable to provide capacity. Therefore, it would be desirable to maintain iron atoms inside the particle or layer but allow lithium ions and electrons to flow freely in and out of the particle or layer.

Provided herein are coatings for electrochemically active conversion material that limit or prevent iron egress from cathode particles or layers and thereby improve efficiency of conversion materials in energy storage devices. Coatings prevent iron from leaving the cathode particles such that iron does not escape into the electrolyte. In some embodiments, the electrochemically active cathode material contains a collection of particles, each having a core including the conversion material and the coating.

FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate the effect of using a coating according to certain disclosed embodiments. FIG. 4A depicts a particle of conversion material in electrolyte. A coating may be deposited on the outer surface of a particle, and/or between the conversion material and the electrolyte. In FIG. 4A, the coating is represented by the dark outer layer surrounding the particle itself. In some embodiments, the coating may be deposited on a cathode layer, thereby forming a thin layer between the cathode layer and electrolyte, such as in a thin-film electrode. In some embodiments, the cathode forms a substantially continuous sheet, substantially coextensive with and overlapping the electrolyte.

While charging, as depicted in FIG. 4B, lithium fluoride is electrochemically reduced such that lithium ions leave the particles, electrons leave the particles, and fluorine ions react with iron to form compounds such as ferric fluoride (FeF₃). As shown, iron escape is at least partially prevented by the coating, but the coating is selectively permeable to both lithium ions and electrons to promote conductivity and allow for the effective use of the cell as an energy storage device. As compared to FIG. 3B, iron atoms or ions that were able to escape from a particle or conversion material without a coating are now prevented from escaping the conversion material due to the additional coating. Generally, “selectively isolate” means isolating a component of a particle from some species but not others. As shown in FIG. 4B, the coating selectively isolates a conversion material by at least partially preventing iron from entering the electrolyte, while permitting lithium ions and electrons to enter and leave.

Electrolyte Reaction

Conversion materials may also be susceptible to a reaction with the electrolyte on the surface of particles or thin-films. Reaction 6 provides an example of a reaction that may occur between the cathode and a sulfur-containing electrolyte:

MF_(x)+S→M_(1-y)S_(1-y)+F_(x-y)+S_(y)  (6)

where M is a metal such as any of those described above. As an example, Reaction 7 provides an example of a reaction that may occur between a cathode including ferric fluoride and an electrolyte:

FeF₂+2S→FeS₂+F₂  (7)

FIGS. 5A and 5B are example schematic illustrations of this phenomenon. In FIG. 5A, a particle of conversion material including metal atoms is shown in electrolyte with various electrolyte molecules surrounding the particle. This state may exist soon after the fabricated cathode is brought in contact with the electrolyte. Next, in FIG. 5B, after the cathode has remained in contact with the electrolyte for some time, electrolyte molecules at the surface of the particle may enter the particle and/or interact with the particle surface. Either way, they undergo reaction with metal at the surface of the particles and conversion material, thereby rendering the particle and conversion material less effective as an energy storage unit.

Provided herein are coatings for cathode conversion materials that limit or prevent electrolyte interaction with conversion materials and thereby improve efficiency of conversion materials in energy storage devices. Coatings isolate conversion material from electrolyte in particles and/or thin-film layers, and may provide various benefits such as increased cycle lifetime and increased efficiency.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic illustrations of the effect of using coatings to prevent electrolyte reactions. In FIG. 6A, a particle containing conversion material or metals is shown with electrolyte molecules located outside of the particle. A coating may be deposited on the outer surface of a particle, or between the conversion material and the electrolyte. In FIG. 6A, the coating is represented by the dark outer layer surrounding the particle itself. In some embodiments, the coating may be deposited on the cathode, thereby forming a thin layer between the cathode layer and electrolyte, such as in a thin-film electrode. FIG. 6B depicts the effective use of the coating. Arrows show the paths that some of the electrolyte molecules may exhibit toward the particle, where they would react with metal on the surface of the particle, but, due to the coating, are unable to react with the surface of the particle, and therefore unable to undergo a reaction that decreases efficiency. The coating selectively isolates the components in the particle.

While the discussion in this section focuses on reaction of conversion material with electrolyte, it applies equally to reactions of conversion material with other cell components such as cathode binders, MEIC materials, electron conductor additives, and ion conductor additives. Also, the electrolyte that interacts with the conversion material may be fashioned as a catholyte or a single electrolyte for the entire cell.

Fusion of Active Material

In a particle format, two or more particles of conversion material (e.g., primary materials) may fuse to form a larger particle when a high current is run to activate the active material. In some embodiments, the fusion of particles may result in larger conversion material particles, which decreases the conductivity of the electrode because ions and electrons travel a longer distance when larger particles are used in the cathode.

Provided herein are coatings for cathode conversion materials that prevent particle fusion and improve ionic and electronic conductivity. The coatings are not active material and therefore coated particles that are close to each other while a high current is run will not be fused together and particles remain their small sizes. Thus, coatings prevent primary particles from fusing during charging and discharging.

Coating Materials

The coating material may include one or more of the following classes of chemicals: oxides, phosphates, and fluorides. Specific examples of materials that may be used as coatings include aluminum oxide (Al_(x)O_(y) or Al₂O_(y), y≦3 (e.g., Al₂O₃)), lithium oxide (Li_(x)O, x≦2), titanium oxide (TiO_(x), x≦2), silicon oxide (SiO_(x), x≦2), iron oxide (Fe₂O, x≦3), aluminum phosphate (AlPO_(x), x≦4; or Al_(x)(PO₄)_(y) (e.g., AlPO₄)), iron phosphate (FePO_(x), x≦4), lithium fluoride (Li_(x)F, 0.8≦x≦1.2), aluminum fluoride (AlF_(x), x≦3 (e.g., AlF₃)), and carbon. For example, the coating may be aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), or aluminum phosphate (AlPO₄), or aluminum fluoride (AlF₃).

During fabrication or initial cycling, lithium ions embed in the coating, and thereafter the coatings maintain good cycle capacity. An initial lithiating operation (e.g., an initial cycle) may be employed to form a pre-lithiated coating material. Examples of lithiated coating materials include lithiated aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), lithiated aluminum phosphate (AlPO₄), and lithiated aluminum fluoride (AlF₃), or mixtures thereof. A lithiated coating may be defined as a coating including lithium, which may be intercalated, alloyed, mixed, or otherwise incorporated in the coating. Examples of lithiated aluminum oxide coatings include lithium reductively intercalated into aluminum oxide (e.g., LiAl₂O₃), lithium oxide alloyed with aluminum oxide (e.g., Li₃Al_((2-x))O₃), lithium aluminum oxide compounds (e.g., LiAlO₂, Li₄Al₂O₅), and lithium oxide mixed with aluminum oxide (e.g., Li₂O.Al₂O₃). In certain embodiments, x is between about 1 and 6. Similar lithium to metal ratios may be employed in other coating compositions. Use of pre-lithiated coatings increases the coatings' lithium ion conductivity and allows use of the full capacity of the conversion material without requiring lithiation during each cycle in normal operation. An example of a pre-lithiation level may be about 50%, which is the level of lithiation where lithium ion conductivity is the highest. Lithiated coatings may be fabricated to have sufficient lithium available to immediately conduct, but not so much lithium that a substantial amount of conduction sites in the coating are filled. Thus, a 50% lithiated coating results in high conductivity because sites are formed including lithium, but are only half-filled.

Coating Properties

The layer of coating material should be as thin as possible without sacrificing its function to protect the conversion materials or cathode. A thin coating should be used because the coating material typically does not provide electrochemical energy capacity, and effectively presents dead weight/volume in the cell if too thick. In many embodiments, the coating material layer has a median thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm, depending on the size of the cathode or cathode particles. In some embodiments, the coating material layer median thickness is between about 1 nm and about 10 nm, or between about 2 nm and about 7 nm.

Coating material used in disclosed embodiments may also have a porosity between about 0% and about 30%. The porosity may be chosen to provide good lithium ion permeability but poor metal atom or metal ion and electrolyte permeability. The coating may have a diffusion coefficient for lithium ions between about 10⁻¹⁰ and about 10⁻⁵ cm²/s. In some embodiments, the coating has a diffusion coefficient for iron(II) ions between about 10⁻¹⁴ and about 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s. Conversion material having coatings may have a lower active material loss rate than conversion material without such coatings. The chemical structure of the coating material may also be crystalline, semicrystalline, and/or amorphous.

The ionic conductivity of the coating material with respect to iron(II) ions may be no greater than about 10⁻¹⁰ S/cm or no greater than about 10⁻⁸ S/cm. Coated conversion materials may be relatively ionically conductive to lithium ions. Resulting ionic conductivity of the coating material with respect to lithium ions may be at least about 10⁻⁸ S/cm or at least about 10⁻⁷ S/cm. In some embodiments, the coated material may have a sufficient Li ion conductivity such that the battery capacity when discharged at 1 C rate is at least 60% of the capacity as when discharged at a C/3 rate. Coated conversion materials may also be relatively electronically conductive. The electronic conductivity of the coating material may be at least about 10⁻⁸ S/cm or at least about 10⁻⁷ S/cm. In certain embodiments, the active material of the coated conversion materials has an energy density of at least about 800 Wh/kg, or at least about 1000 Wh/kg. In a coating with two or more layers, each layer may have a different ionic and electronic conductivity. For example, a bilayer coating may have a high-conductivity inner layer and a lower-conductivity outer layer.

In many embodiments, coatings may be continuous over the entire surface of the particle or entire surface of the cathode material. In some embodiments, coatings may be discontinuous on the surface of the particle or cathode material. In many embodiments, coatings may have a median coverage of at least about 80% of the surface area, or at least about 90% of the surface area.

The coating may include one or more layers such as a bilayer. In some embodiments, the coating may include two or more layers. In a bilayer coating, one of the layers may block iron or copper diffusion. In some embodiments, one of the layers may be a good electronic conductor. In an embodiment where one layer blocks iron diffusion and another layer provides good electronic conductivity, electrons may flow around the perimeter of the cathode layer or particle in a manner that allows their egress into the interior of the particle at various points of entry on the particle surface. In a coating including one or more layers, each layer of the coating may have a median thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm, depending on the size of the cathode or cathode particles. In some embodiments, the median thickness of each layer is between about 1 nm and about 10 nm, or between about 2 nm and about 7 nm.

Fabrication Methods

Various classes of methods of forming coatings may be used. Coating material may be prepared on charged or discharged conversion material, or in an unlithiated or lithiated conversion material. Further, the coating may be applied in a lithiated, partially lithiated, or unlithiated form. In many embodiments, the coating is deposited at a low temperature, for example less than about 300° C., or less than about 200° C., to prevent agglomeration of components within a discharged cathode conversion material.

The coatings may be formed on conversion materials as fabricated, such as in-situ as the active material is being formed, or coatings may be applied to previously fabricated conversion material particles, in which case conversion material particles having above-described properties are initially formed.

Coatings may be deposited or fabricated using processes such as spray coating, sol-gel, colloidal dispersion, precipitation reaction, physical or chemical adsorption, mechanical alloying or milling, physical deposition, physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and the like. Processes such as PVD, CVD, and ALD may be performed with or without the assistance of a plasma. When coating particles, a fluidized bed process may be employed, particularly with processes such CVD and ALD.

Spray Coating

To perform spray coating, a solution of coating salts is prepared in an appropriate solvent (water, methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol). In some embodiments, the solution includes lithiated iron fluoride, which may have a lithium to iron atomic ratio of between about 1:1 and about 3:1. Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) may be formed from aluminum nitrate (Al(NO₃)₃. 9 H₂O) directly. A phosphate film (AlPO₄) may be formed by mixing aluminum nitrate and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). A fluoride film (AlF₃) may be formed from aluminum nitrate and ammonium fluoride (NH₄F) or ammonium hydrogen difluoride (NH₄HF₂). Lithiated forms of the films may be formed by including the appropriate amount of lithium nitrate (LiNO₃). The solution is then spray-deposited using an atomizer spray nozzle or nebulizer onto a heated substrate above the boiling point of the solvent.

To perform spray coating, a solution of coating precursors is prepared in an appropriate solvent (water, methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol). Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) may be formed from aluminum nitrate (Al(NO₃)₃.9H₂O) directly. The phosphate film (AlPO₄) maybe formed by mixing aluminum nitrate and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). A fluoride film (AlF₃) maybe formed from aluminum nitrate and ammonium fluoride (NH₄F) or ammonium hydrogen difluoride (NH₄HF₂). The lithiated forms of the films maybe formed by including the appropriate amount of lithium nitrate (LiNO₃) or other suitable lithium compound. The solution is then mixed with the active material and spray-dried through a heated atomizer and the particles are collected in a cyclone or an electrostatic device.

Precipitation

To perform a precipitation reaction, solutions are prepared with an aluminum compound dissolved in a suitable solvent such as toluene. The aluminum compound can be a halide such as AlCl₃, AlBr₃, or AlI₃. Optionally, a lithium compound can be included to produce a lithiated coating. In some embodiments, the lithium compound is a lithiated iron fluoride with a lithium to iron atomic ratio of between about 1:1 and about 3:1. Separately, a second coating component is dissolved in a suitable solvent. In one example for fabricating an aluminum phosphate coating, a solution of 85 wt % phosphoric acid in water is mixed in dimethylcarbonate. The active material to be coated is then suspended in a suitable solvent such as toluene. The active material may be prepared using a mixture of lithiated iron fluoride with 6-aminohexanoic acid or benzylamine in a solvent such as toluene. The precursor solutions are then added to the solution, optionally via a metered method such as a syringe pump or addition funnel. Many other precursors may be suitable for fabricating coated cathodes in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. For example, a coating of aluminum oxide can be formed by the liquid-phase reaction of trimethylaluminum (TMA) and water. Similarly, the lithium compound can be an organometallic precursor such as butyllithium.

Precursors for a precipitation reaction can also be formed in situ by reaction or decomposition of a starting material. For example, an aluminum alkoxide such as aluminum methoxide or aluminum isopropoxide can be used as the source for an aluminum oxide synthesis, optionally with heat and/or added water assisting in the decomposition. In another example, aluminum acetylacetonate is reacted with an amine such as benzylamine to form aluminum oxide.

Adsorption

To perform an adsorption reaction, the active material is dispersed in a suitable solvent such as toluene or an alcohol, and then contacted with nanoparticles of a suitable coating material under conditions which permit the coating particles to adsorb to the active material surface. The coating particles may be between about 0.5 and about 500 nm, or between about 0.5 and about 50 nm, or between about 0.5 and about 5 nm. In some embodiments, the slurry may be heated prior to contacting the nanoparticles of coating material. In some embodiments, the slurry is contacted with nanoparticles under conditions leading to formation of particles free in solution, which adsorb the cathode particle. In some embodiments, the reaction takes place primarily at the particle surface so as to form only as a coating material. In some embodiments, the coating particles can first be formed in a separate reactor using either dry powder, which resuspends in the solvent containing the active material, or a pre-formed suspension in a suitable solvent and then subsequently added to the active material. Alternatively, the coating particles can be formed in situ by a reaction of suitable precursors. For example, an aluminum alkoxide such as aluminum methoxide or aluminum isopropoxide can be used as the source for an aluminum oxide synthesis, optionally with heat and/or added water assisting in the decomposition. In another example, aluminum acetylacetonate is reacted with an amine such as benzylamine to form aluminum oxide.

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)

To perform ALD, the active material to be coated may be suspended in a fluidized bed reactor and heated to a suitable temperature. In some embodiments, the active material may be a lithiated iron fluoride with a lithium to iron atomic ratio of between about 1:1 and about 3:1. One example forms an aluminum oxide coating via the reaction of TMA with water at about 150° C. to about 200° C., for example 180° C. In this process, TMA is fed into the reactor to coat the particle surfaces, optionally using a residual gas analyzer (RGA) at the outlet of the reactor to detect when TMA is able to reach the exit of the reactor, which indicates complete surface reactivity. The reactant is then changed to H₂O and the process gas is flowed until water saturates the particle surfaces, again optionally detected by an RGA. The two reactants are then alternated until the desired thickness or weight coating is obtained.

Other Fabrication Techniques

To create a coating via PVD, a substrate to be coated is placed in a sputter chamber. A target of aluminum is then sputtered in an oxidizing environment, such as an oxygen plasma. Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) will then be deposited on the substrate.

When the conversion material is formed first prior to application of the coating, various processes may be suitable for fabricating such material. Some fabrication techniques employ exclusively material synthesis. Other processes employ exclusively coating of the conversion material on a substrate. Examples of material synthesis processes include sol gel synthesis, one pot synthesis, bottom-up synthesis, and melt spinning Examples of substrate coating process include slot-die, spin coating, dip coating, doctor blade, metering rod, slot casting, screen printing, inkjet printing, aerosol jet, knife-over roll, comma coating, reverse comma coating, tape casting, slip casting, gravure coating, and microgravure coating. Various processes employ a hybrid of synthesis/coating. Suitable processes for particle formation/downsizing include dry milling, wet milling, high energy milling, or bottom-up chemical synthesis.

In certain embodiments, a coated conversion material for a cathode is prepared using a process in which one or more precursors or reactants are contacted in solid phase, also referred to as “solid phase synthesis.” Examples include hot pressing, cold pressing, isostatic pressing, sintering, calcining, spark plasma sintering, flame pyrolysis, combustion synthesis, plasma synthesis, atomization, and melt spinning Some solid phase syntheses involve grinding and mixing of bulk precursor materials. The bulk materials are ground to very small dimensions and then combined or otherwise mixed and reacted as necessary to form the desired composition. Milling may be performed via jet milling, cryomilling, planetary milling (Netzsch, Fritsch), high energy milling (Spex), and other milling techniques. In some embodiments, the ground and mixed particles are calcined. An examples of solid phase synthesis processes for producing iron fluoride conversion materials are set forth in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/814,821, filed Apr. 23, 2013, and titled “NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION REACTIONS,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/803,802, filed Mar. 21, 2013, and titled “METHOD FOR FORMING IRON FLUORIDE MATERIAL,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In certain embodiments, the conversion material is produced using a deposition technique such as evaporation, sputtering, Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD), or vapor phase deposition technique such as PVD, ALD, or CVD. In one method described herein, the devices are fabricated by sputtering using an Endura 5500 by Applied Materials of San Jose, Calif.

In certain embodiments, the devices are fabricated by sequential deposition of the anode current collector, anode (optional), electrolyte, cathode, coating, and cathode current collector on a substrate. In certain implementations, there is no separate substrate and the anode, electrolyte, cathode, coating, and cathode current collector are deposited directly on the anode current collector. In one version, there is no separate substrate and the cathode, coating, electrolyte, anode, and anode current collector are deposited directly on the cathode current collector.

The following is a list of examples of suitable conversion material fabrication methods categorized by the process environment:

-   -   Vacuum processes, including sputtering, evaporation, reactive         evaporation, vapor phase deposition, chemical vapor deposition         (CVD), plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), metal organic CVD (MOCVD),         atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma-enhanced ALD (PEALD),         molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), ion-beam-assisted deposition         (IBAD), and pulsed laser deposition (PLD).     -   Wet synthesis, including chemical bath deposition (CBD),         electroplating, spraying and in situ formation, Langmuir,         Langmuir-Blodgett, layer-by-layer, electrostatic spray         deposition, ultrasonic spray deposition, aerosol spray         pyrolysis, sol gel synthesis, one pot synthesis, and other         bottom-up methods.     -   Dry synthesis, including pressing, hot pressing, cold pressing,         isostatic pressing, sintering, spark plasma sintering, flame         pyrolysis, combustion synthesis, plasma synthesis, atomization,         and spin-melting.     -   Top-down methods, such as jet milling, wet/dry milling,         planetary milling, and high energy milling.     -   Other methods, such as precipitation, colloidal dispersion,         physical or chemical adsorption, and mechanical alloying.

Applications

The devices described herein may generally be used in any application requiring energy storage. The devices may be particularly well suited for in applications such as in electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, consumer electronics, medical electronics, and grid storage and regulation.

EXPERIMENTAL Energy Retention and Energy Density

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the energy retention and energy density over cycles for both uncoated and coated conversion materials according to disclosed embodiments. An uncoated cathode including iron and lithium fluoride was fabricated for an energy storage device. To compare, a 2 nm and 4 nm layer of FeF₃ was deposited as a coating on cathode particles of another energy storage device including iron and lithium fluoride using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The energy density and energy retention were measured over cycles of charge and discharge. FIG. 7A depicts the nominally poor cycle life of the energy storage device at high temperature without a protective coating layer on the cathode particles. By contrast, FIG. 7B depicts a dramatically improved cycle life of the energy storage device at high temperature with the protective coating layer on cathode particles. Note significant difference in energy retention beyond 400 cycles of charge and discharge. No substantial decrease in energy retention was observed for the coated conversion materials.

Spray Coating

In one example, 5 g of lithiated iron fluoride was weighed out and added to 20 g of isopropanol. The lithiated iron fluoride had a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 1:1. The solution was vigorously mixed to produce a slurry. Then 11 mL of an 0.5 M solution of Al(NO₃)₃.9 H₂O in isopropanol was added to the slurry. This mixture was used as-is to prepare an Al₂O₃ coating in one example. In another example, there was a further addition of 7.4 mL of a 1.0 M solution of H₃PO₄ in isopropanol to prepare a mixture to form an AlPO₄ coating. In yet another example, there was a further addition of 5.5 mL of 1.0 M LiNO₃ to prepare a mixture to form a lithiated AlPO₄ coating with a lithium to aluminum atomic ratio of 1:1. In each case, the mixture was then sprayed through a 0.7 mm atomizing nozzle on an inlet heated to 200° C., collected in a cyclone, dried, and collected.

In another example, a solution was prepared by mixing 113 mg of H₃PO₄, 52 mg LiNO₃, and 188 mg of Al(NO₃)₃.9 H₂O in 10 mL of ethanol. Then 420 L of the solution was mixed with 45.80 ml, of additional ethanol. A 4″×4″ substrate containing lithiated iron fluoride having a 3:1 lithium to iron atomic ratio to be coated was held onto a heated stage using a vacuum chuck. The stage was heated to 225° C. Using a Burgener Mira Mist nebulizer (from Burgener Research Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), 31.1 grams of the spray solution was deposited by rastering the substrate in the ±X direction while rastering the nebulizer in the ±Y direction.

Precipitation

In one example, 5 g of lithiated iron fluoride was weighed out and added to 50 mL of toluene under an argon atmosphere. The lithiated iron fluoride had a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 3:1. The solution was vigorously mixed to produce a slurry. One syringe was loaded with 2.75 mL of a 2.0 M solution of AlBr₃ and a second syringe was loaded with 27.5 mL of a 0.2 M solution of H₃PO₄ in dimethylcarbonate. These mixtures were used to prepare an aluminum phosphate coating in one example. In another example, a lithiated aluminum phosphate coating was prepared by loading one syringe with 2.75 mL of a solution that included 2.0 M AlBr₃ and 1.0 M LiBr and loading the second syringe with 27.5 mL of a 0.2 M solution of H₃PO₄ in dimethylcarbonate. The lithiated aluminum phosphate coating was prepared to a lithium to aluminum atomic ratio of 1:2. In each case, syringe pumps were used to add both solutions dropwise over the course of 60 minutes, and then the product was centrifuged, washed with toluene, dried, and collected.

In one example, 5 g of lithiated iron fluoride was weighed out and added to 50 mL of toluene under an argon atmosphere. The lithiated iron fluoride had a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 3:1. The solution was heated to 80° C. and stirred vigorously to produce a slurry. One syringe was loaded with a solution of 5.4 g of aluminum acetylacetonate in 40 mL toluene and a second syringe was loaded with a solution of 6 g of benzylamine in 15 mL toluene. Syringe pumps were used to add both solutions dropwise over the course of 60 minutes, and then the solution was centrifuged, rinsed with toluene, dried, and collected.

In one example, 5 g of lithiated iron fluoride was weighed out and added to 25 mL of benzylamine under an argon atmosphere. The lithiated iron fluoride had a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 3:1. The solution was heated to 130° C. and stirred vigorously to produce a slurry. A syringe was loaded with a solution of 5.4 g of aluminum acetylacetonate in 40 mL benzylamine. A syringe pump was used to add the solution dropwise over the course of 60 minutes, and then the solution was centrifuged, rinsed with toluene, dried, and collected.

In one example, 0.8 g of lithiated iron fluoride was weighed out and added to 20 mL of benzylamine under an argon atmosphere. The lithiated iron fluoride had a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 3:1. The solution was heated to 130° C. and stirred vigorously to produce a slurry. A syringe was loaded with a solution of 0.43 g of aluminum acetylacetonate in 5 mL benzylamine. A syringe pump was used to add the solution dropwise over the course of 15 minutes. The solution was held at 130° C. for an additional 120 minutes, then centrifuged, rinsed with toluene, dried, and collected.

In one example, 1.0 g of lithiated iron fluoride was weighed out and added to a solution of 0.032 g of 6-aminohexanoic acid in 25 mL of toluene under an argon atmosphere. The lithiated iron fluoride had a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 3:1. The solution was heated to 80° C. and stirred vigorously to produce a slurry. A syringe was loaded with a solution of 0.22 g benzylamine, 0.53 g aluminum acetylacetonate, and 10 mL of toluene. A syringe pump was used to add the solution dropwise over the course of 60 minutes. The solution was held at 80° C. for an additional 60 minutes, then centrifuged, rinsed with toluene, dried, and collected.

Atomic Layer Deposition

In one example, 50 g of lithiated iron fluoride was weighed out and added to a fluidized bed ALD reactor from ALD Nanosolutions of Broomfield, Colo. under an argon atmosphere. In one example, the lithiated iron fluoride had a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 3:1. In another example, the lithiated iron fluoride had a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 1:1. The gas flow was adjusted to ensure adequate suspension of the particles with minimal loss of fines. The reactor was heated to 200° C. TMA was introduced into the chamber by feeding into the circulating argon flow. A RGA was used to observe the byproducts of the surface reaction, and the TMA feed was stopped when TMA was observed by the RGA. H₂O was introduced into the chamber by feeding H₂O vapor into the circulating argon flow. Again, a RGA was used to observe the byproducts of the surface reaction, and the H₂O feed was stopped when H₂O was observed by the RGA. The process was repeated for a number of steps to achieve the desired coating thickness. In one example, the process was repeated for 10 cycles to deposit a coating having a thickness of approximately 1 nm.

Physical Vapor Deposition

In one example, an aluminum source was prepared by bonding a high purity (>99.9%) aluminum target (3 inch diameter disc with a thickness of 0.25 inch or 0.125 inch) onto a backing plate. The target was then mounted into a sputtering chamber using the Endura 5500 by Applied Materials of San Jose, Calif. The substrate, which contained lithiated iron fluoride having a lithium to iron atomic ratio of 3:1, was then introduced into the chamber and a vacuum was pulled on the chamber with a base pressure less than 10⁻⁷ Torr. An Ar/O₂ plasma was then ignited using a magnetron. The plasma then reactively sputtered the aluminum source to deposit Al₂O₃ onto the substrate. The thicknesses were determined by the length of the plasma pulse. Times were on the order of less than a few minutes for a thickness of 10 nm or less.

CONCLUSION

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the processes, systems, and apparatus of the present embodiments. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the embodiments are not to be limited to the details given herein. 

1. An energy storage device comprising a. an anode, b. an electrolyte, and c. a cathode comprising a plurality of coated electrochemically active material particles, each electrochemically active material particle comprising a core comprising a conversion material, and a coating, wherein the coating selectively isolates the conversion material from the electrolyte, and wherein the capacity of the active material is greater than about 300 mAh/g.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the conversion material comprises a sulfide, oxide, halide, phosphide, nitride, chalcogenide, oxysulfide, oxyfluoride, sulfur-fluoride, or sulfur-oxyfluoride.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the conversion material comprises lithium and a fluoride of a metal.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the metal is iron, manganese, nickel, copper, or cobalt.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrochemically active material particles further comprise a metal component and a lithium compound component intermixed with the metal component.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the metal component is iron, nickel, or copper.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises an oxide, a phosphate, or a fluoride.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the coating is partially lithiated.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al_(x)O_(y)), aluminum phosphate (Al_(x)(PO₄)_(y)), aluminum fluoride (AlF_(x)), and combinations thereof.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a capacity when discharged at 1 C that is at least about 60% of its capacity when discharged at C/3.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises two or more layers, each layer having a thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 15 nm.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the median coating coverage is at least about 90% of the surface area of the particles.
 14. An energy storage device comprising a. an anode, b. an electrolyte, and c. a cathode comprising an ion conductor, a current collector, coated electrochemically active conversion material particles, each electrochemically active material particle comprising a core comprising a conversion material, and a coating, wherein the coating selectively isolates the electrochemically active material from the electrolyte, and wherein the capacity of the active conversion material is greater than about 300 mAh/g.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the cathode forms a continuous sheet, coextensive with and overlapping the electrolyte.
 16. The device of claim 14, wherein the coating comprises an oxide, a phosphate, or a fluoride.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al_(x)O_(y)), aluminum phosphate (Al_(x)(PO₄)_(y)), aluminum fluoride (AlF_(x)), and combinations thereof. 18.-24. (canceled) 